Pup who was almost euthanized turns 6 months, inspires Internet

A dog that was rescued as he was being walked into the euthanization room turned 6 months old this week and inspires hundreds on Instagram.

Celeste Tholen Rosenlof

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – A dog that was rescued as he was being walked into the euthanization room turned 6 months old this week and inspires hundreds on Instagram.
Cole, a pitbull born without his front legs, was just 6 weeks old when he was dropped off at Chicago Animal Care and Control. The puppy had open wounds on his front nubs and back left paw. He was missing a toenail and two of his toes were fused together and infected, owner Kimberly Boshold said.
Rescue Warriors, a no-kill animal facility, rescued Cole just before he was set to be euthanized.
"CACC didn't think he would be adoptable due to being differently abled," Boshold said.
The rescue posted a photograph of tiny Cole to its Facebook page where Boshold saw him. Quickly after, she became his foster owner. As soon as Cole turned 8 weeks – old enough to be adopted – Boshold and her boyfriend brought him home permanently.
"As soon as I met Cole I fell in love. So did my boyfriend, Kevin Koster, and our other dog Keke. We knew immediately that there was no way we could ever give him up," she said.
Someone donated a dog wheelchair for Cole to Rescue Warriors, but he didn't like it much, preferring to scoot, hop and wiggle on his own, Boshold said. The couple was able to get Cole a custom-fit wheelchair and now he zips around.
"Cole did and still does everything a 'normal' dog would, just in a different way," Boshold said. "Now he has his all-terrain customized wheelchair made by Eddie's Wheels. He loves to be in it when he is outside, or around other people and dogs. When he is at home he likes to just chill out and relax free of the cart."
To the people who tell Boshold and Koster they are cruelly keeping a dog with disabilities alive, Boshold said Cole is the "happiest pup in the world."
"Just because he was born without front legs does not mean his life should end," Boshold wrote on Instagram. "I would even suggest these people come meet this wonderful love of mine. Cole leads an amazing life."
Cole is gaining strength in his core and back legs through therapy, Boshold said. He gets stronger every day.
"We hope to spread the word that pit bulls are lovers not fighters, and that even if a dog is missing limbs, that doesn't mean their life should end," Boshold said. "Every dog deserves a chance at life and by adopting a differently abled dog you are giving them that chance. Cole is absolutely wonderful and brightens our day every day and we are lucky to have him."%3Cimg%20src%3D%22http%3A//beacon.deseretconnect.com/beacon.gif%3Fcid%3D141666%26pid%3D46%22%20/%3E